His submission included 40 books focusing on the history of Western philosophy and an additional 10 on Eastern philosophy.

Kosman’s book collection, “‘To Arlie:’ An Intergenerational Collection of 20th Century Boys’ Books,” was dedicated to her grandfather, who grew up as an orphan in the 1920s and died at 40 years old.

One of his possessions was a book given to him on Christmas in 1929, called Jerry Todd and the Whispering Mummy.

At the back of the book, there were advertisements for many other children’s books by the author, Edward Stratemeyer, who wrote under several pseudonyms and published many other series of boys’ books, she said.

Kosman, who is also a Crimson editor, says she began collecting books as an “absolution” for her grandfather, who, as an orphan would not have been able to collect the books himself.

Many of her 40 boys’ books have been found at senior centers, and Phoebe plans on using the money to buy more of them.

Cole said previous winners have submitted on subjects as varied as the Berlin Subway system, butterflies, chess, Chinese cooking and comic books.

“There is no limit,” she said, on subjects for collecting books.